The Harrison County YMCA Masters Swim Team concluded its 2017-18 season on April 7 and 8 at the Allegheny Mountain YMCA Masters Swimming Association (AMYMSA) Championships at Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio. The association has been in existence 43 years and consists of close to 25-member YMCAs, with approximately 200 Masters swimmers ranging in age from 18-90+.

 

The Harrison County YMCA Masters Men's Team won the large team championship over a tough Cranberry, Pa. team.  Lynne Nye led the way with seven individual firsts and a relay win. The meet got off to a great start in the second event when 200 medley relay swimmers Andrew Bartlett, Gary Abbate, Jon Riggs and Lee Gustafson swam a 2:02, breaking a 21-year old record by over two seconds.  Gustafson and Abbate, who have been swimming since the Harrison County YMCA pool opened in 1986, were joined by Bartlett, who was born in 1986, and newcomer, Riggs.  Jack Merinar had season best swims in fly, freestyle and IM with six firsts. Michael Phillips, former Fairmont Senior and Wheeling Jesuit swimmer, joined Merinar with six firsts as he swam in the fly and breast strokes.  The 200-freestyle relay team of Nye, Gustafson, Riggs and Merinar swam the sixth fastest time in the league's history with a 2:32.  

 

Team members not in attendance at the championships included Phyl Charnes, high point champion; John Edwards, marathon swimmer finisher; Katie Felton, Stacy Berry, Breanna Kniceley, Patrick Snell, Jeff Owens and Brian Levake.  Anyone interested in joining the Masters Swim Team can contact the Y or any member of the team.

 

Pictured, left to right, Lee Gustafson, Andrew Bartlett, Jon Riggs, Jack Merinar, Michael Phillips and Gary Abbate. Not pictured is Lynn Nye.